What Is CMS? Beginner’s Guide to Content Management Systems Article
Have you ever wondered how companies publish new blog posts, add images, create new pages, upload products, and modify the website without touching any code? Answer is – in most cases, CMS.
CMS stands for Content Management System. CMS is the software that allows users to create, publish, edit, and manage content on their site. In most cases, you won’t need to know how to code to be able to use CMS. Because of this, CMS solutions rule the online space: bloggers, corporations, newspapers, online shops, and many other types of websites use CMS.
For instance, when you want to create a blog, you can use CMS to write articles, add pictures, and publish them on the web. Moreover, you can do all this from a dashboard without knowing anything about HTML or other programming languages.
In this article, we’ll explore what CMS is, how it works, its main characteristics, common types of CMS, and how to select the best CMS for your website.
What Is a CMS?
A Content Management System (CMS) is software used for creating and managing digital content, commonly website content.
CMS allows you to do most of the work that used to be done by hand. For instance, suppose you have a blog about digital marketing, and you want to publish an article titled “What Is SEO?” With a CMS, you can create this page easily: just go to the CMS dashboard and perform several simple steps: add a new page, write the content and modify it, insert images and videos, add categories, tags, SEO meta tags, featured image, and publish the article.
Thanks to CMS solutions, we now have effective tools for managing our content and websites.
How Does CMS Work?
A typical CMS has two major components: the content management application and the content delivery application.
In most cases, the content management application is the user interface (UI) for the website owners and managers. The content delivery application is used by website visitors to see the website contents.
For instance, if you want to write a blog post, you’ll enter your CMS dashboard (content management application) and add some content: text, images, and videos. Then, your readers will view your blog post via the content delivery application.
A CMS also has a database. The database stores all the information generated by your CMS. In our example, the database will store all your blog posts, website visitors’ data, and many other pieces of information.
Thus, the work of CMS can be summarized in the following steps:
- Create content
- Store content
- Manage content
- Publish content
- Deliver content to website visitors
Why Do Websites Need CMS?
The website management task can become extremely hard if you have more than 10 web pages.
Imagine you have a website with just 5 pages. It might be manageable, but what if you have an online store with 100 products and 100 articles? You’ll have to spend weeks updating your website contents. In such a scenario, CMS can become your best friend.
CMS can make this task easier: instead of working with messy code, you can modify your web pages and blog posts from a dashboard.
As you can see from the example above, CMS is incredibly helpful for website owners and managers. First of all, CMS allows you to separate code and content: you’ll be able to update your website without having to resubmit all of your code. Second, CMS solves the problem of manual content management: you don’t need to update each web page in terms of code; instead, you can modify it from a dashboard. Third, CMS is useful for businesses and organizations that have a constant need for updating their website contents.
Main Characteristics of CMS
Depending on the type of CMS solution, some of the following characteristics may be available:
1. Create
Creation of web content is a primary function of CMS. In most CMS solutions, you’ll be able to write blog posts and web page content. Also, you can insert images, videos, icons, tables, and other types of media.
Note: Depending on the CMS type, you’ll have to select a preferred theme for your website and customize it. The creation feature can also include writing custom code if you want to make your website more unique.
2. Edit
The edit feature allows you to update and edit already created content. For instance, if you have an old article that needs to be updated, all you need to do is ask your CMS to open this article in edit mode. Make the required updates to text, images, and other media. Hit the “update” or “publish” button and return your article to the public.
3. Media Library
Most CMS solutions have a built-in media library where you can store and organize all of your website media. It becomes especially useful if you have many images, videos, and other types of media. Also, you can add them to your web pages and blog posts.
4. Users and Permissions
A CMS can help you provide multiple users with access to your website. For instance, you can give administrative rights to some users and managerial rights to others.
It becomes especially important if you have an online store or a business website: your employees may need limited access to your website data and contents.
5. Publish and Schedule
This feature allows you to publish your website contents or schedule them for future publishing. It can be extremely useful if you have many blog posts: you can write them in advance and schedule their publishing for different dates.
6. Categories and Tags
If your website has a large volume of contents, you may want to store them in categories. For instance, if you have a digital marketing blog, you can categorize your contents by categories: SEO, social media marketing, content marketing, and so on. This feature helps both you (managing website contents) and your website visitors (finding the required contents).
7. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Depending on the CMS type, you can customize search engine optimization settings for your website. For instance, you can add website meta tags, modify URLs, add images, manage website sitemaps, and much more.
Note: Although CMS helps with website SEO, it doesn’t guarantee better visibility in search engines. To appear in search engine results pages (SERPs), website owners need to follow SEO best practices.
What Are Some Common CMS Examples?
There are many CMS examples, and each of them is appropriate for specific website types. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular CMS solutions.
WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular CMS solutions. It is extremely versatile: it can be used for blogs, business websites, portfolios, newspapers, and online stores. Website owners and managers can also customize WordPress websites extensively by using themes and plugins.
Joomla
Joomla is another popular CMS solution. It is appropriate for small business websites and enterprise-level applications.
Drupal
Drupal is an open-source CMS solution that is extremely customizable. It is best suited for enterprise-level applications and high-traffic websites.
Shopify
Unlike other CMS solutions, Shopify is primarily focused on website selling capabilities. It provides users with a wide range of tools and features for managing online stores.
Wix
Wix CMS is appropriate for small business websites and personal blogs due to its simplicity and built-in website creation tools.
Which CMS Solution Should I Choose?
Depending on your needs, you can choose between different types of CMS. For instance, if you want to create a blog, you’ll have different options compared to creating an online store. Below are some of the questions that you should ask yourself before selecting a CMS solution:
What type of website do I want to create? (blog, online store, personal page, etc.)
- How much customization do I need?
- Is this CMS solution easy to use?
- What are the costs associated with this CMS solution?
- Does this CMS solution provide required SEO tools?
- Can I expand my website using this CMS solution?
- What kind of support does this CMS solution provide?
- CMS vs Website Builder: What’s the Difference?
Website builder and CMS solutions may seem similar, but there are some key differences between them. Website builders typically focus on providing visual tools for creating websites. A CMS solution typically focuses on providing tools for managing and storing website contents. Another difference is that CMS solutions normally have a rich ecosystem of plugins, extensions, and themes.
In short, a traditional CMS provides advanced content management and customization options. Website builders, in turn, provide a wide range of intuitive tools for website creation.
However, the line between website builders and CMS solutions is becoming increasingly blurred due to the emergence of new technologies. Website builders now provide more advanced CMS tools, and CMS solutions now provide more website-building tools. In any case, the main difference between the two is their purposes.
For instance, a website builder may allow you to design a website using drag-and-drop website builders. A CMS solution, in turn, typically allows you to customize your website’s contents and design in much more detail.
The truth is that the debate between the superiority of website builders and CMS solutions is endless. For website creators and managers, the most important thing is to select an appropriate tool for their purposes.
Advantages of CMS
CMS solutions bring many advantages to website owners and managers. Below are some of the main advantages of CMS.
Easier Content Management
Using a CMS solution allows you to store and manage your website contents more easily.
Less Coding
Creating a website from scratch typically requires strong coding skills. CMS solutions, in turn, allow you to build a website with little or no coding experience. This advantage is especially crucial for non-technical website creators.
Faster Publishing
As mentioned above, CMS solutions allow you to create and update website contents faster and easier.
Multiple Users
Most CMS solutions allow multiple users to collaborate and contribute to the website. This feature is crucial for medium and large-sized businesses.
Easy Updates
Website contents normally require frequent updates. If you select an appropriate CMS solution, you’ll be able to update your website contents regularly.
Customization
Depending on the CMS solution, you’ll be able to customize your website extensively. Website customization typically involves themes, plugins, and extensions.
Limitations of CMS
Although CMS solutions have many advantages, they also have some significant limitations. Below are some of the most common disadvantages of CMS solutions.
Security Issues
A CMS solution can be a security risk if it is not maintained properly. Website security issues normally come from coding errors introduced during customization. Thus, when using a CMS solution, website owners and managers should apply security updates regularly.
Performance Issues
Like any software, CMS solutions are susceptible to performance issues. Poorly optimized code, special extensions, or large media files can significantly degrade website performance. Website performance is one of the main factors that affect search engine optimization (SEO).
Maintenance
Some CMS solutions require regular maintenance. This, in turn, requires additional technical expertise and time.
Learning Curve
CMS solutions typically require basic technical knowledge. Although such knowledge is not required to manage a website, it plays a significant role in website customization and optimization.
How to Select the Appropriate CMS Solution for My Website
There is no single CMS solution that is appropriate for all website types. Before selecting a CMS solution, you should take into consideration several factors. Below are some of the most crucial factors.
1. Type of Website
Depending on the website type, you’ll need different sets of tools. For instance, if you want to create a business website, you’ll need to choose a CMS solution that is appropriate for such a website type. In most cases, you should analyze your website needs and select a CMS solution that provides the required set of tools.
2. Degree of Customization
Depending on the CMS solution, you will have different degrees of customization. If you select a solution that provides advanced customization tools, you’ll be able to extensively modify your website. However, such solutions normally have a steeper learning curve.
3. Level of Difficulty
Depending on the CMS solution, website creation and management can be easier or harder for beginners.
4. Budget
Some CMS solutions are free, whereas others are paid. When selecting a CMS solution, you should also consider additional costs. For instance, you may need to spend money on domain name registration, website hosting, and theme customization. Moreover, some paid CMS solutions have special pricing models for large-scale businesses.
5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Although CMS solutions normally provide many SEO tools, you should select a solution that provides the required set of SEO tools. For instance, some CMS solutions allow you to extensively modify website URLs, add keywords, and optimize images. Such CMS solutions are more appropriate for websites that need to improve their SEO performance.
6. Growth Opportunities
As your website grows, your needs can change. Thus, when selecting a CMS solution, you should consider your future needs in addition to your current needs.
7. Help and Support
When you need technical support or assistance, you’ll be glad to know that there are people who can help you. Thus, when selecting a CMS solution, you should take into consideration the help and support that the selected solution provides.
Is WordPress a CMS?
Yes, WordPress is a CMS solution. Originally, it was used for blogging purposes. Today, it provides a wide range of tools and functions for managing different types of websites.
Can You Use a CMS Without Coding?
Yes, you can use a CMS without knowing how to code. However, when you know how to code, you’ll be able to extensively customize your website.
Are CMS and SEO Related?
A good CMS solution can greatly facilitate the process of search engine optimization (SEO). However, CMS is not a magic wand that makes your website rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). To improve your website SEO, you should follow SEO best practices.
Final Thoughts
A Content Management System (CMS) makes it easier to create, edit, store, and publish web contents. In most cases, CMS solutions allow you to do all this without knowing how to code. Thus, CMS solutions are extremely useful for website owners and managers.
CMS solutions can be used for different types of websites. Website creators and managers should carefully select the CMS solution that is appropriate for their needs. The main considerations are the type of website, degree of customization, level of difficulty, budget constraints, SEO requirements, and growth opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CMS stand for?
CMS stands for Content Management System. It is a class of software that allows users to create, manage, edit, organize, and publish digital content.
Is WordPress a CMS?
Yes, WordPress is a CMS. It allows users to create blogs, websites, online stores, and many other types of websites.
Do I need coding skills for CMS?
Depending on the type of CMS, you may or may not need coding skills. Although such skills are not required for basic CMS functions, they become crucial if you want to extensively customize your website.
Is CMS free?
Depending on the type of CMS, it can be free or paid. Even if you select a free CMS solution, you should be aware that you may need to spend money on domain name registration, web hosting, etc.
What CMS is suitable for a beginner?
It depends on the type of website that the beginner wants to create.
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